Over more than fifty years of political activism, I thought I had seen every vulgar attempt to grab the cameras – some clever, some obvious and some shameful. But I have never seen campaign stunt-ery to descend to such a despicable low level as that of former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke.
O’Rourke is the Democrat candidate for governor who will be facing off with incumbent Texas Governor Greg Abbott in the November midterm election.
In the wake of the horrific killing of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas, Abbott was holding a formal press briefing – along with other officials. This was not a campaign event – but a sad and solemn report of the latest details of the grim event. It was an opportunity for members of the news media to ask relevant questions. As would be expected, there were a lot of reporters and cameras in the room.
O’Rourke was drawn to those cameras like a moth to a bright light on a dark night.
After strategizing his actions with aides, O’Rourke walked to the front of the room – between the panel of presenters and the cameras – and exploded in mock rage at his political opponent. It was a typical O’Rourke performance. Yelling at Abbot. Accusing him of complicity in the deaths of those children.
Some say that O’Rourke was speaking truth to power. That interpretation comes only from those too politically biased to have any interest in truth – or human decency. No … he was spewing campaign rhetoric at a very sad non-political event. He was prancing and pandering before the news media to insert himself into the story – and he succeeded.
The unhinged former congressman continued his ranting for the benefit of the press outside the hall. In a pathetic show of self-aggrandizement, he claimed to be moved by the highest moral principles – even using his own children as verbal props. If you recall O’Rourke’s previous claim – during an ego-driven run for President – when he announced to the world that he was born to be President, then you will understand the level of his self-importance.
In witnessing his performance, I was shocked that even O’Rourke – with his messianic ego – would descend to such human depravity as to march his political parade over the bodies of young children.
Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin did not let O’Rourke’s crass gambit pass without comment. He could be clearly heard saying, “I can’t believe you’re a sick son of a bitch who would come to a deal like this to make a political issue.”
There was a time when O’Rourke could have made his criticisms of Abbott – but maybe not a time that would have had so much of the national and international press in attendance. And after all, drawing attention to himself and his campaign was his primary purpose. The subject of the meeting was incidental, and the deaths of those children was just a public relations hook.
What next for O’Rourke – political speeches interrupting the funerals? A photo op at the impromptu memorial in front of the school? Maybe a speech from inside the blood stained fourth grade room where most of the victims died?
Outrageous? Of course, such campaign stunts would be outrageous to most folks. But after watching O’Rourke’s stunt at the Abbott press conference, I do not know the limits of O’Rourke’s sense of outrage. But I can say for certain that they are very low, indeed.
So, there ‘tis.